The best performing THINK City of the five entered was driven by Markus Spiekermann of Team Move About Bosch – entered by the German branch of the Scandinavian car-sharing pioneer, Move About. Spiekermann finished in third position, in what was a great demonstration of the THINK City’s robust performance attributes, developed and proven over 19 years and over 30 million kilometres of real world experience.
The E-Miglia 2010 started in Munich, Germany and concluded in Rovereto, Italy, over four days and 560 kilometers of carbon free competitive rally driving. Featuring no less than five Alpine passes, the E-Miglia offered ample opportunity to utilise the THINK City’s innovative regenerative braking technology, and in turn maximise battery range against formidable competition from the likes of Tesla, Citroen, Fiat, Tazzari, Smart and Jetcar.
This latest competitive outing follows THINK’s recent class victory, also with a Move About team at the wheel, at this year’s Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles
“This is, without question, the most gruelling EV rally in the world,” said Spiekermann, “we were competing against some serious competitors in a variety of weather conditions and the THINK City was more than able to hold its own. Finishing in the top three is a really impressive achievement in a showroom standard urban EV, particularly against so many high performance race rivals.”
The latest generation THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric and fully air-conditioned urban car that can travel at highway speeds and cover 160 kilometers on a single charge (via conventional household outlet), with zero local emissions. It is the world’s first electric vehicle to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate). To achieve these exacting standards, the THINK City has successfully completed very thorough testing and validation procedures.
European production of the electric vehicles THINK City continues in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive, which also assembles the Boxster and Cayman models for Porsche AG, and deliveries are taking place across Europe in selected key EV markets such as The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.
THINK also recently announced plans to establish a U.S. production facility during 2011 in Elkhart County, Indiana, and is working with Japanese partner Itochu on developing operations in Asia.
THINK is a pioneer in electric vehicles with lithium ion batteries and a leader in electric vehicle technology, a position developed and proven over 19 years. It is one of the few companies that has a ‘ready-to-market’ fully electric vehicle – the THINK City. With its market-leading range, driveability and recyclability, the THINK City is the first vehicle of its type to be granted pan-European regulatory safety approval and CE certification.
THINK is also a leader in electric drive-system technology, and was the first to offer a modular and flexible EV drive-train solution in the business-to-business sector. With its Scandinavian origins and sustainability mindset, THINK is one of the most carbon efficient car companies in the world.
The Norwegian company Move About operates both public car sharing services and closed “mobility-on-demand” systems for corporate customers.
Move About has about 80 electric vehicles in operation in Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen, and has established subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK to capture the growing interest in electric cars and car sharing across Europe.
They are working with electric utilities and major companies wanting to move towards sustainable and cost effective transportation.
